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The 2028 US Olympic Gymnastics Team will be the first to compete at home since 1996. It could also be the first without Simone Biles since 2012.
Balance beam gold medalist Shawn Johnson won one of the United States’ two Olympic golds in Beijing in 2008, eight years before Biles arrived.
Now, almost two years before the Los Angeles Games, Johnson answered if he believes the United States can win gold if Biles does not compete.
“Historically speaking, the United States is the most dominant gymnastics team we’ve ever seen, ever. So I have the greatest faith in the United States gymnastics team,” Johnson told Pak Gazette Digital.
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Team USA gymnasts Simone Biles, left, Jordan Chiles, Hezly Rivera, Jade Carey and Sunisa Lee celebrate winning the gold medal at the 2024 Olympic Games, on July 30, 2024, in Paris. (Tom Weller/VOIGT/Getty Images)
“Simone is the greatest of all time, she has marked her place in history forever. And that will never change. But she has also set a standard and a precedent for our country that I believe will continue forever.”
Johnson plans to be in Los Angeles to see it in person. When asked which gymnasts she’s most looking forward to seeing compete in Los Angeles, Johnson said, “I have a lot of faith in all these little ones that are coming up and the ones that want to repeat…so all of them.”
With advances in sports science and wellness influencing which country gains competitive advantages more than ever, Johnson revealed the mindset she believes gymnasts should adopt for their health.
“I would just tell a young gymnast who wants to go to the Olympics to listen to her body. I think a lot of girls, especially in gymnastics, try really hard. And it’s really important that you prioritize your health, mental and physical, above all else,” she said.
THE OLYMPICS SCHEDULES THE MAIN WOMEN’S EVENT BEFORE THE MEN’S FOR THE FIRST TIME
Team USA gymnast Shawn Johnson in action during the women’s balance beam final at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China. (Al Tielemans/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)
The United States women’s gymnastics team is coming off a historically poor performance at the World Championships in October, winning just two medals total and no gold medals.
It was the country’s lowest medal total in international competition since 2001.
The only two USA medalists there were Leanne Wong, who won a silver in the all-around, and Joscelyn Roberson, who won a bronze in the vault.
“It was tough,” American program head Chellsie Memmel said, according to Olympic Games.com. “There were some really good pieces, but then there were tough things. I didn’t feel like there was an attack on his events and his overall skills. There were still good things, but I have work to do.
Team USA gymnast Simone Biles salutes after performing on the balance beam at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
It was just the third year since 2006 that the United States did not finish with the most women’s medals since 2006, aside from 2017 and 2021, when it tied with Japan and Russia for the most.
Biles, Suni Lee, Jade Carey and Jordan Chiles were the standout athletes on the Paris 2024 U.S. team that won three gold medals, including team and all-around, not representing the United States at the World Championships.
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Biles didn’t rule out competing at the 2028 Los Angeles Games, but also said she took some time off from gymnastics, according to Olympics.com.
“I’m not sure what 2028 will look like, but I will be there in some capacity. I just don’t know right now if it will be on the court or in the stands. But I definitely want to go and be a part of that movement,” Biles said.
